Simplify Status Levels.......
Mar 1, 2006 | 2:34 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: UK
Programs: AC*E
Posts: 117
I hope not. I'd struggle to qualify as an E and as a consequence take my meagre business elsewhere. I normally get to around 40K in the year, mainly LHR-YVR and then on to PDX, so there are plenty of alternative carriers I can have no status with.
Chris.
Chris.
Last edited by chill; Mar 1, 2006 at 4:06 am
Mar 1, 2006 | 11:08 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 25,045
Please, please, pretty please lety's stop using the word "simplify" when dealing with AC. Isn't their IT broken enough as it is?
remember the "simplification" layer added to the various fare layers? Imagine if things get even more complicated... I am told "simplification" is rapidly reaching the status of a dirty word in their call centers.
remember the "simplification" layer added to the various fare layers? Imagine if things get even more complicated... I am told "simplification" is rapidly reaching the status of a dirty word in their call centers.
Mar 1, 2006 | 12:30 pm
#5
At Large
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: oakville Ontario canada;AC*SE
Posts: 16,985
Originally Posted by YYZFlyboy
I would be in the same boat but so what?...the E benefits get watered down more every year while the SE benefits just keep getting better......the way it's going E won't be worth the effort....
It seems to me that AE has become a self-sustaining business unit that is more interested in garnering business from people who shop at the likes of Future Shop and use sponsors credit cards than they are in the actual loyalty of people who pay to put their bums on the seats of AC metal.
It seems to me that AE has become a self-sustaining business unit that is more interested in garnering business from people who shop at the likes of Future Shop and use sponsors credit cards than they are in the actual loyalty of people who pay to put their bums on the seats of AC metal.
Mar 1, 2006 | 12:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YUL
Posts: 582
With the change in E for this year particularly elimination of the SSWUs at 45K, the benefits to frequent travellers has been reduced to
1) Priority Check-in
2) Lounge access
If AC raised the limit for E, I think the bulk of the E will leave for UA or US FF program and therefore rob AC of the revenue stream it makes from the other programs to pay for the AE miles. The reduction so far of the E has make me to think that the bulk of the E has been flying *A partners but accumulate with AE. Therefore it is advantageous for AE to take away the SSWUs but by keeping the 35K for *G to hook the E to stay with AC. This is of course really bad for FF that travels mainly with AC and within Canada.
1) Priority Check-in
2) Lounge access
If AC raised the limit for E, I think the bulk of the E will leave for UA or US FF program and therefore rob AC of the revenue stream it makes from the other programs to pay for the AE miles. The reduction so far of the E has make me to think that the bulk of the E has been flying *A partners but accumulate with AE. Therefore it is advantageous for AE to take away the SSWUs but by keeping the 35K for *G to hook the E to stay with AC. This is of course really bad for FF that travels mainly with AC and within Canada.
Mar 1, 2006 | 1:46 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: YYZ most of the time
Programs: AC SE100K MM, Princess Elite
Posts: 3,921
I could in no way support AC/AE lowering SE to 45k or anything below where it is now. It is meant for people that do alot of flying, and to reduce the qualifying level to anything below where it is would devalue the benefits of reaching SE level. It took me a few years to decide if SE was worth it, and now that I have reached the level, I intend to keep it for many many years to come. The only way I could fathom them dropping SE to a lower level would be if they created a new level UE (Ultra Elite) and had it at a 100k qualifying level. Then all the people that got upset about E benefits dropping could have SE status, and still get nothing for it. Fly more and get SE if you dont want to deal with the loss of benefits...
Mar 1, 2006 | 2:49 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YUL
Posts: 582
Originally Posted by YYZFlyboy
Like many I'm in that 40k-60k miles a year E bracket that have seen our perks be slowly whitled away. All I'm saying is maybe AC do away with E status altogther and have SE start at 45k or so. This would allow more people to enjoy the benefits and still hit the bulk of the FF's. As it stands now I'm considering my options since my new travel patterns have become more international than domestic.
I believe that the benefits of E can only get better whenever AC has some domestic competition. As for now, the E flying above 50K a year are in the driver seats to choose another *A FF program. The rest....well
Mar 1, 2006 | 4:32 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Platinum, former AC E35K
Posts: 6,338
other than the loss of a couple special upgrade certs at the 45K, that is all we have lost. And the main benefits still exist. I really love having lounge access and priority checkin. Even if I am sitting in Y, these can still make a difference, also having Star Alliance Gold status is very useful as well, not every airport in the world allows you to use web checkin or kiosks. And you get access to lounges all over the world, very useful as well.
Mar 1, 2006 | 4:58 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Mississauga Ontario
Posts: 4,354
Originally Posted by YYZFlyboy
Heres something that I'm sure the E's & SE's would find contentious but would probably be best all round:
Since AC are busy simplifying fares and classes why not simplify the status levels too. How about just "Elite" (gold) at 45k or 55k and "Prestige" (silver) at 30k or so. Make the benefits suit both levels and it would likely cover the bulk of the hard-core frequent flyers.
It would really make the whole thing less complicated.
Okay go ahead SE's vent now............
Since AC are busy simplifying fares and classes why not simplify the status levels too. How about just "Elite" (gold) at 45k or 55k and "Prestige" (silver) at 30k or so. Make the benefits suit both levels and it would likely cover the bulk of the hard-core frequent flyers.
It would really make the whole thing less complicated.
Okay go ahead SE's vent now............